https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:35:09 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain/page/2#post-320714 Tue, 02 Oct 2012 11:30:37 +0000 KT326 320714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sorrycharlie: I agree, the tape being pulled off was the worst part! I had a different anesthesiologist come in to remove it and even she commented that there was way too much tape on my back :/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain/page/2#post-320465 Tue, 02 Oct 2012 09:12:08 +0000 Boots McGee 320465@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you have a good anesthesiologist and are able to hold still during insertion, you will feel next to nothing when the epidural is inserted. And at that point, you will be so grateful that the anesthesiologist is in your room that you will allow yourself to be dipped in glue and rolled in feathers just to get that epi. The needle will be the very least of your concerns.</p> <p>That said, I'm someone who doesn't mind needles, blood, etc. etc., but the idea of the epidural does wig me out a little bit. Like another poster said, it's the idea of where that needle is going. But wow, is it ever worth it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-320360 Tue, 02 Oct 2012 07:56:07 +0000 sorrycharlie 320360@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>that picture is scary, but you don't even see the needle! I had the epi last week and all I saw was the anesthesiologist come in. I didn't even notice the "beesting" local because my contractions were obviously stronger than the pain of a teeny needle. I didn't feel the epidural go in at all (was surprised when they said I was done) and it didn't hurt coming out either. The tape being pulled off my back was worse! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-320249 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 23:47:28 +0000 birdofafeather 320249@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: yes! this is EXACTLY how i feel about epis and i why i want to go for an unmedicated birth. i chalked it up to a control issue (and it is in part) but your explanation is spot on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-320234 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 23:05:46 +0000 KT326 320234@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rachel: I had so much bloodwork done for fertility testing that I had to get over it pretty quickly. Then I ended up having to give myself injections! Talk about overcoming your fear :-)</p> <p>@JessicaMcB: Wow! That really sucks. I hate it when nurses don't listen to you. Why even ask! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-320219 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 22:44:13 +0000 JessicaMcB 320219@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As someone whose veins are beyond bad, I have trust issues when it comes to health care professionals and needles. They can find my veins no problem, but they collapse as soon as the needle is in and all it takes is one overzealous nurse and I've got a needle clear through a vein and into the meat of my arm/hand/joint of my wrist/ankle. My entire left arm can't be used for IVs anymore because an ER nurse blew out essentially all my veins in February (regardless of how many times I tell techs or nurses this, they still have to try that arm five or so times before they believe me). I've had the pressure cuff jacked up all the way and stabbed, hot compresses and stabbed, vacuum tubes, bloodwork that took over 20 stabs and had to be completed by an ICU nurse (four more tries later) and have been chastised for the quality of my veins. Also, on the odd occasion they get the line in, I bleed all over the floor every.freakin'.time. So for me it's kind of more than a "poke with a tiny needle and it's over" scenario.</p> <p>Epidurals freak me out for another reason though- they carry the risk of freakin' paralyzing me. No way Jose! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-320214 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 22:35:46 +0000 aprk 320214@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm more concerned with the potential complications or unwanted effects of an epidural than the needle itself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-320196 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 22:22:06 +0000 Minnie_Girl 320196@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Needle phobia isn't a pain thing, it's a psychological thing. Where do people get that idea from? I honestly don't know why exactly I have the phobia, but it's not because of the way the shot feels! </p> <p>I do have a pretty terrible memory of my brother's newborn shots. I was 10 and had to hold his legs down while the damn incompetent nurse jabbed him again and again, as he screamed and squirmed. But I had the phobia before that happened. </p> <p>Needles vs. having a baby...not remotely comparable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-320050 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 20:41:41 +0000 Shutterbug 320050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sweetkate: you're giving me so much hope right now! I have all out fainted once at the doctors, and I've come super close a bunch of other times. I even left without getting my blood drawn after they missed the first time and I got all clammy and fainty. I want more than anything to get over it, but haven't been able to yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-319806 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 17:30:12 +0000 googly-eyes 319806@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always wondered this!! At my hospital they give you an IV even if you don't get an epidural. I wonder if this is standard elsewhere too. Either way I didn't feel it and I didn't see it and I didn't have any complications from it (thankfully.)</p> <p>@Cyndistar3 At my birth class they showed a diagram..the spinal just basically goes in further. I don't think it's supposed to hurt though?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-319626 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 16:06:37 +0000 cyndistar3 319626@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So now I have a question, is the epidural that much different than the spinal block? When I got mine they did the local anesthetic shot first but I most certainly felt the needle go in when they were doing the spinal block and it hurt really bad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-319615 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:59:34 +0000 DillonLion 319615@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jholler25: "As long as I look away when they stick the needle in the vein (BARF!), I'm good." Haha! I'm the same. I mean I don't love needles, but they don't make me hyperventilate or anything. I just look away when they are doing the deed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-319610 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:57:55 +0000 PrincessBaby 319610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's kind of funny when people are like, "I hate needles!" Because I always think, "Well no one loves them, right?"</p> <p>I don't mind needles, I just hate VEINS. Veins are so gross and make me sick to think of the needle actually puncturing it. I could NEVER be a phlebotomist! I always tell them that I don't know how they look at gross veins all day!</p> <p>As long as I look away when they stick the needle in the vein (BARF!), I'm good. </p> <p>I think getting loads of needle experience gets you more used to it as well. So someone with a needle phobia just genuinely may not have had a lot of experience with them. I have to get my TSH levels checked every few months, and also when we were TTC I got stuck a ton with all the bloodwork we did, so it got me more used to it, I guess. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-319601 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:53:51 +0000 KT326 319601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to have a needle phobia but once I started going through fertility testing and treatment I got over it very quickly! Mine started when I went to donate blood in high school. I almost passed out in the chair. They had to lay me down on the floor with my feet above my head and I guess I was a lovely shade of white. Then I had to get a cortisone shot in my shoulder... yeah almost passed out there too. When I had my pre-op done for my tonsils I completely passed out. All three incidents were within a year of each other. Needless to say, I avoided needles for a very long time after that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-319578 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:44:42 +0000 GrapeCrush 319578@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i hate needles(don't really know why either) but i LOVED my epidural lol it was amazing. the local made it so i didn't feel a thing </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-319566 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:38:10 +0000 lawbee11 319566@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: Wow, that picture is definitely helping to keep my baby fever in check! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-319564 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:37:33 +0000 Ree723 319564@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It is a huge needle but don't forget, there's a local anesthetic given beforehand and that IS a teeny tiny needle, so you never even feel the epi needle going in. I loved my epidural - best thing ever!</p> <p>Then again, I'm an avid blood donor and have no issue with needles. My sister though has a horrible needle phobia though and I just don't get it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-319557 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:33:12 +0000 Mrsbells 319557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@highwire: Haha, although from what I've heard the crowning and actualy pushing isnt as bad as the contractions </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-319552 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:30:19 +0000 DillonLion 319552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: Another good point! Thanks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-319551 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:30:08 +0000 MrsBrewer 319551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: Ahhh!! That's HUGE!!! No epi.....EVER!! LOL </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-319550 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:30:00 +0000 JoJoGirl 319550@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's just most of us by the time we are in our 20s/30s have had enough unfortunate experiences with shots/giving blood/etc that the anticipation of the sensation of a needle is no fun! On the other hand, first time mothers don't exactly know what to expect from childbirth so we can't really compare them :) Fear based on previous experiences can be stronger than fear of the unknown, I think! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-319546 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:28:43 +0000 DillonLion 319546@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: I think that needle should be placed along side a newborn baby crowning...and then it wouldn't look quite as scary! Ha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-319543 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:28:01 +0000 Mrsbells 319543@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@highwire: lol !! the good thing is that if you really have to get it, you cant see them doing it so you can't freak out too much </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-319541 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:27:19 +0000 DillonLion 319541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: Haha oh God this is going to give some of the needle phobia ladies a heart attack! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-319538 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:26:26 +0000 Mrsbells 319538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@highwire: yeah I found a picture online, I think someone posted this here before or on WB. Plus mine wasnt just one shot it was atleast 2 or 3</p> <p>[attach=1326/12/mb8e42.576x446.epidural.jpg] </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-319536 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:26:04 +0000 DillonLion 319536@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: The debilitating possible headache afterwards is one of the things that turns me off from the whole idea of epidurals! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-319535 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:25:58 +0000 cyndistar3 319535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am so incredibly terrified of needles that yes, I would much rather push out a child unmedicated than get a needle in my back. So when I had to have a c-section for #2 I was way more scared of the spinal block than anything else (especially since my back is ticklish beyond reason). For me it isn't even about pain, it is just the needle itself I cannot even put words to it I guess it just creeps me the heck out.</p> <p>eta: I should add that I am known for throwing up or hyperventilating before getting shots or blood drawn... Oh and I passed out trying to donate blood. So it wasn't just the spinal lol. I can't even watch someone else get poked with a needle! lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-319534 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:25:18 +0000 DillonLion 319534@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: Yeah that's a good point also. I was going to edit my post to say something about how the epidural needle is not your average tiny prick...so maybe that changes people's attitudes about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-319532 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:25:00 +0000 Foodnerd81 319532@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have a needle phobia, but to me, the complications of childbirth are about the same whether or not you have an epidural (not the pain, just the chance of something going wrong). If you get an epi, as unlikely as it is, you now have the risk of something going wrong with that- the lingering back pain, doesn't work, the headache, etc. So it's another risk factor that you can avoid, if that makes sense.<br /> But like I said, I don't have a phobia of it and I'm open to it, though I'd prefer not to have one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-needle-phobia-please-explain#post-319529 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:24:23 +0000 Mrsbells 319529@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@highwire: An epidural is not exacly a teeny tiny needle prick, the size of the needle is HUGE and knowing it is going into your spinal area and knowing the risks of it can be a huge turn off. Even regular shots are scary enough. I hated my spinal for sure! It was horrible </p>